Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean

Dancing On Ice stars Torvill and Dean are swapping the rink for the ballroom in a Strictly Come Dancing special - against each other. The duo, whose ITV show is being axed after the next series, will be taking part in a one-off performance for the BBC's Children in Need appeal next month.

Figure skating champions Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill are pairing up with James Jordan and Aliona Vilani from Strictly to perfect their routine.

Time has been kind to Jayne Torvill – she says she can still fit into the famous Bolero costume in which she won Olympic gold. The skating champ, 54, reckons she is slimmer and fitter than when she wowed the world with partner Christopher Dean at the Sarajevo Winter Games in 1984.

Jayne, who will skate on ITV1’s Olympic-themed Dancing On Ice special tomorrow, said: “I would still be able to get into the Bolero outfit.

The Olympic flame visits Robin Hood country and will be carried on ice by Olympians Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean on day 41 of the relay. The torch is travelling 100 miles from Lincoln to Nottingham on Thursday, ending with an evening celebration at Old Market Square.

Torchbearer Laura Graves, 16, from Grantham, will take the flame to the Robin Hood statue in Sherwood Forest. Torvill and Dean, both from Nottingham, are the final bearers of the day.

Dancing on Ice finalist Chico has said it has been a pleasure to work with Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean on the show.

The 40-year-old admitted that it has been hard work but insist that it has been one of the greatest things he has done. He told the Daily Mirror: "Dancing on Ice is one of the greatest things you will ever do in your life. It certainly has been in mine.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have admitted that the Dancing on Ice contestants are "bruised and hurting". The Olympic champions also insisted that the race to be crowned winner is still "wide open", despite Jorgie Porter and Matthew Wolfenden being strong favourites.

Speaking on This Morning, Dean said: "I think whoever is there in the last three can win it." Chatting about the final nine contestants, Christopher added: "They are bruised and hurting - just the way that they should be.

Ice skating legends Torvill and ­Dean have finally ­revealed the secret behind their success... they never ­became lovers. The former Olympic ­champions – whose steamy performance to Ravel’s ­Bolero won them gold in 1984 – say that the lack of romance has allowed them to work ­together for years.

“We never got married, and that is the secret,” says Jayne, 54. Christopher, 53, adds: “No ­kissing, no sleeping together, no marriage – that’s been the key to our relationship.” But ITV1’s Dancing on Ice stars admit that they do sometimes ­squabble – just like a married couple.

Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and the professional skaters kicked off Dancing on Ice 2012 with a bang, with one of the most stunning and eye-catching routines in the show’s history.

Beginning like a Disney fairytale, with the female skaters in large tutus and huge wigs, the routine exploded into Lady Gaga’s anthem The Edge of Glory – somewhat appropriate for the celebrity hopefuls waiting in the wings. It had everything fans of the show could want from the opening dance, and more, including acrobats hanging from a chandelier and a topless Matt Evers!

Legendary ice dance duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have expressed an interest in returning to the sport to help younger British talent flourish.

The duo won Olympic gold in 1984 and bronze in 1992 but no Briton has won an Olympic figure skating medal since. "I guess some people would say we should lead that new generation to some extent, and we most probably would - if we were asked to," Dean told BBC Sport.